Pops’ Rome Travel Guide, Sites Around Piazza Navona

You have just been to the Piazza Navona and walked the beautiful piazza taking in the church and the fountains. You maybe took a break at one of the cafes to relax and had a glass of wine and something to eat. Is there something close by that I can walk to? Actually there is a lot to do and see within walking distance.

The Pantheon is only about 2 blocks east of the center of the Piazza Navona. Along the way you will pass many shops that may temp you to go inside. The Pantheon is a building in Rome, commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus as a temple to all the gods of ancient Rome, and rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian about 126 AD. The building is circular with a portico of large granite Corinthian columns (eight in the first rank and two groups of four behind). A rectangular vestibule links the porch to the rotunda, which is under a coffered concrete dome, with a central opening the sky. Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon's dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. The height to the opening and the diameter of the interior circle are the same, 43.3 metres (142 ft). It is one of the best-preserved of all Roman buildings. It has been in continuous use throughout its history, and since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a Roman Catholic Church dedicated to "St. Mary and the Martyrs" but informally known as "Santa Maria Rotonda." The square in front of the Pantheon is called Piazza della Rotonda. In the square, which is usually crowded with tourists, you will find some nice cafes. If you can find a table it would be another place to relax and enjoy the view. I was told that a lot of the Roman ruins like the Forum and Coliseum had their marble taken to build new churches. Places like The Pantheon were already designated a church and saved. The same was true of the Roman Senate in the Forum. The senate building was repurposed as a church and spared from be demolished for the marble. The Pantheon is an architectural marvel as well as being a beautiful church and is a must see.

If you walk another 4 to 5 blocks east of The Pantheon you will find the Trevi Fountain. This is one of the top tourist spots in Rome and is a must see. The Trevi Fountain is a fountain in the Trevi district in Rome, designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Pietro Bracci. Standing 26.3 metres (86 ft) high and 49.15 metres (161.3 ft) wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world. The fountain has appeared in several notable films, including Federico Fellins’s La Dolce Vita. The fountain is beautiful both day and night but for me at night, when it is all lit up, is the best time to see it. Have dinner in or around the Piazza Navona or Piazza della Rotonda and then walk over to the Trevi Fountain.

I like to walk and have made the walk from the Trevi Fountain to the Spanish Steps but I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone. You may be tired by the time you get to the Trevi Fountain. If not the Spanish Steps are about 8 to 10 blocks north of the Trevi Fountain. The Spanish Steps is a set of steps in Rome, climbing a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità dei Monti, dominated by the Trinita dei Monti church at the top. The Spanish Steps is the widest staircase in Europe. The stairway of 135 steps was built with French diplomat Étienne Gueffier’s bequeathed funds of 20,000 scudi, in 1723–1725, linking the Bourbon Spanish Embassy, and the Trinità dei Monti church that was under the patronage of the Bourbon kings of France, both located above — to the Holy See in Palazzo Monaldeschi located below.

If you don’t continue the walk to the Spanish Steps then I would recommend seeing it on the same day you visit the Borghese Gallery. It is just past the southwest corner of the park that the gallery is in.

I do have one restaurant recommendation to add. Just south of the Piazza Navona is the restaurant iL Bacaro. It is a very small restaurant with limited seating. The night we ate there I had the best risotto I have ever had. The food there is incredible. One note, they don't open until 6:30 pm, but it is worth the wait. Their address is Via degli Spagnoli 27 and their website is www.ilbacaroroma.com .

If I missed anything in between let me know and I’ll add it.

Next up will be the Church of the Gesù. It is close to the Pantheon but in the opposite direction from the Trevi Fountain or I would have included it above.